About a thousand people displaced from Shwe Pyi Aye town in Homalin Township in upper Sagaing Region are facing food shortages as their displacement prolongs, according to displaced people.
“We have been displaced for over eight months and now we have to rely on ourselves for food. But the World Food Program started distributing aid on 1 July. We were fine when the WFP was helping us. But now we have to rely on ourselves to find food,” said one displaced woman.
For those displaced to Homalin town, the township administration provided food from December 2023 to June 2024. The WFP is currently continuing its support.
However, in the face of hardships, IDPs in Homalin town are taking up odd jobs to cover their families’ food and living expenses.
“There is enough rice, but not enough of other essentials. It is particularly difficult for families with students because they need school fees. It is even worse for families with elderly people and family members who can’t work,” explained the displaced woman.
Currently, the displaced people from Mei Za Li, Yae Le and Naung San Kyin villages in Shwe Pyi Aye town are living in temporary shelters and dormitories on the grounds of Hsu Taung Pyae Pagoda in Hko Pe Wa Ward, Homalin town.
A displaced resident from Shwe Pyi Aye said: “The living conditions are not very comfortable. Those who are housed in dormitories are better off. They have built dormitories for us recently, but they are not very good, especially during the rainy season. But, those who live in the existing dormitories say their living conditions are good.”
Since November 2023, when the National Unity Government (NUG) launched an offensive to capture the town, nearly a thousand people have been displaced from Shwe Pyi Aye town.
Although eight months have passed, the residents are still unable to return home.
Sent by Shanni Voice.